Design: Going Gaga for Graffiti

Graffiti is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place. It ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and it has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire.

Personally, I have always been fascinated by graffiti. Living in New York City after college I often found beauty in unexpected things, one of which was graffiti. It’s colors, shapes, and agendas have intrigued and captivated me. So, on a recent trip to Miami I was dying to check out Wynwood Walls, an art installation conceived by Tony Goldman in 2009.

Originally intended to transform the run down warehouse district of Wynwood, the Wynwood Walls art installation initially consisted of six buildings. These six windowless warehouses served as giant canvases for the under-appreciated and misinterpreted street art known as graffiti. From inception, the Wynwood Arts District has grown to become a mecca for great street artists from all over the world, and is now also home to numerous galleries, restaurants, and an unlimited amount of inspiration.